Electric sign



Aug. 5 1924. 1,504,112

A. L. FAULKNER ELECTRIC SIGN Filed April 5, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ilhmkner INVENTOB W/ M A I I p. Y

BY v. v v

v I l Toma WITNESS:

Aug. 5, 1924. 1,504,112

A. L. FAULKNER ELECTRIC SIGN Filed April 5, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Patented Aug. 5, 1924-.

Pied! nnncrnrc sreii.

Application filed April 5,

T 0 all whom it may concern .1

Be it known that I, ARTHUR L. FAULKNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Smithfield, in the county of Johnston and v State of North Carolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Signs of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in illuminated signs and has for an object the provision of a single bank of lights which are arranged so that certain of the lights may be illuminated to form different numerals and letters of the alphabet, or other characters, the purpose being to arrange a number of banks together to spell out various words or sentences, which may be changed through the medium of switches and other operating mechanism.

Another object is the provision of a device of the above character, in which the lights are arranged in channels with partitions dividing the channels and disposed so as to prevent the lights of an illuminated channel from showing in a channel not illuminated and thus add to the clearness and distinctness of the letter or character represented.

The above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, il-

' lustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation showing a bank of lights constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar View with the lights of the letter K illuminated.

Fig. 3 is a like view showing the letter A illuminated.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the numeral 2 illuminated.

Fig. 5 is a section of the line 5-5 of Fig ure 1.

Fig. 6 is a section of the line 66 of Fig ure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a base 10 from which extend ribs or flanges 11, the latter being arranged to provide a plurality of channels in which are arranged suitable sources of light, here- Sllown incandescent electric lamps, but

1920.. serial No. 371,355.

it is of course obvious that gas or any other source of light may be substituted.

The channels are arranged in intersecting relation and combined so as to form the various letters of the alphabet and numerals from O to 9, but if desired the channels may be differently arranged so as to form other characters. For this purpose there are provided vertical channels 13 and horizontal channels 14 and intersecting certain of these channels are inclined channels 15 and 16, the former being used in the formation of the l tter S, while one of the latter is used in the formation of the letter M and in other letters or characters. The channels 16 provide the arms of the letter K while curved flanges 17 are providedfor the formation of the letters 0 and one portion of the last named letter extending from the lower edge of the base as shown at 18.

The various channels are divided by partitions 19 to define separate compartments and the lamps 20 are arranged in each of these compartments, so that when the latter are illuminated in the formation of a certain letter or character the light from such illuminated lamp will not shine in other compartments. This increases the clearness and distinctness of the letter. This fact is clearly illustrated in the drawings and esoeciallv in Figures 2. 3, and 4, the first two of which leave the letters K and A illuminated with the remainder of the bank dark, while the last mentioned figure shows the numeral 2 illuminated with the remainder of the bank dark.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its formation. proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the claim.

Having described the invention what is claimed is A. sign comprising a base, vertically arranged spaced channels located at one end of the base, horizontally arranged channels connecting the vertical channels at their ends and at a point intermediate thereof. inclined channels extending from one side of one of the vertical channels at its point of connection with the intermediate hori-' zontal channels and connecting with the other vertical channel at the point of connection of the latter with the horizontal, end channels, other horizontal channels extend tending rom t e ide of th vertica han:

nel opposite the first mentioned horizontal channels and in line therewith, inclined channels connecting the) other horizontal channels and connecting each other, an ini; clined channel extending substantially parallel with one of the inclined channels last.

named and crossing the other thereof, an end lnchned channel member having connectlon W1th each of the channel members last named, certain of said channel members crossing each other and providing partitions dividing each of the channels into separate compartmentsshort partition plates dividing said channels into other compartments,

and lamps arranged in said compartments.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ARTHUR L AULKNER. 

